Sofa-bed or lounge



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J RIMMER SOFA BED 0R LOUNGE.

N0. 464,656. Patented D66. 8, 1891.

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JOSEPH RIMMER, OF SOMERVILLE, ASSIGNOR TO GEORGE W'. BENT, OF

' HYDE PARK, MASSACHUSETTS.

SOFA-BED OR LOUNGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 464,656, dated December 8, 1891.

Application filed February 18, 1891. Serial No 381,827- (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH RIMMER, of Somerville, county of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Sofa-Beds or Lounges, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention has for its object the production of a strong, serviceable, and easilyoperated sofa-bed or lounge.

The sofa-bed shown consists, essentially, of a seat and a main and auxiliary back properly hinged one to the other, the auxiliary back being provided with a rocking-like foot. The seat and the main and auxiliary back are each provided with suitable springs and upholstering, the said springs in the main and auxiliary back being so supported as to pass each other when the back is closed. The auxiliary and main back may be drawn out straight and placed at the level of the seat to form a bed. The rocker-like leg is chambered to receive pillows or bedding, and, as represented, one end of the said leg contacts with a stop at the under side of the seat to thus keep the folded back in place.

Figure 1 is a cross-section of my improved sofa-bed or lounge shut up as for a sofa, the upholstering and the usual coveringsuch as canvas or Woven wire-resting upon the springs being omitted to save complex lines in the drawing. Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of the sofa or lounge extended to form a bed. Fig. 2 shows the catch detached, and Fig. 3 is a detail to be referred to. Fig. 4 is a perspective detail showing frames b it, part of the back or bed frame cl, part of one arm h, leg a, and points connecting them.

The base-frame of the sofa-bed or lounge consists, essentially, of two like legs db at each end of a rectangular frame I), the said frame being of any usual Width or length, according to the size desired for the sofa when closed.

The back of the sofa is composed, essentially, of what I denominate a main back and an auxiliary back, the main back consisting, essentially, of parallel wooden bars a, one arranged near each end of the frame 5', the inner end of each bar having attached to it by suitable screws 3 a metal strap 4, which is fitted over a stationary pin 2, held in the upper part of the log a. The auxiliary back is composed, essentially, of two parallel bars d and a cross-bar d, connecting them at their outer ends, the inner ends of the side bars d being jointed to the ends of the side bars 0 by hinges e. The cross-bar d of the auxiliary back has attached to it in line with each side bar d a rocker-legf, having a curved surface 5, the cross-girtf of the said leg being attached to the leg and to the cross-bar d by suitable bolts f (Shown by dotted lines.) The opposite members of the rocker-like leg are united by slats f f thus leaving between the said slats a space to receive pillows, bedding, &c. The main back 0 has, as shown, an attached pivoted leg 0 slotted at c to receive a pin 0 of a brace 0 pivoted at 6 to the side bar cl, there being one such brace for each side bar.

The lounge may have side arms h, which, when used, may be attached by links it to the main back. Each side bar of the main back has suitable loops g, preferably of wire, the upper portions of which are suitably united to the said side bars, the loops, as herein shown, having pointed ends,which are driven into the said side bars, the lower ends of the said loops supporting the slats g, upon which are placed usual or suitable springs 9 any desired number being used upon each slat. The bars d of the auxiliary back-have similar loops m connected to them, which support slats m, on which are placed springs m These loops are so placed upon the side bars of the main and auxiliary backframe that when the backframe is closed, as represented in Fig. 1, the loops supporting the said side bars may pass one by the other, as represented in Fig. 1, thus materially decreasing the thickness of the closed back.

It is not intended to limit this invention to any particular number of loops in the main or auxiliary 'b'ack, nor is it intended to limit the invention to any particular form of loop, so long as they support the slats below the said side bars, and the said loops may either be rigid or yielding and composed of any usual material.

The frame I) is shown as provided with a seat-framen, to the ends of which are attached suitable hinged straps a, one end of the hinged strap surrounding the pivot or pin 2, referred to, held in the legs a. The seat-frame n has a series of slats 11 upon which rest suitable springs I2 I have shown a spring-catch 0 as attached to the arms h, the lower end of the said catch hooking under the sides of the frame a. (See Fig. 1.)

The frame I) is represented as provided with a'stop 10, against which contacts the portion 12 of the rocker-like leg when the back is closed and in the position shown in Fig. 1.

In operation let it be supposed that the sofa" is closed, as in Fig. 1. Now, to form a bed, push back the catches 0 to disengage them from the seat and draw the seat forward,viewing Fig. 1, leaving the rocker-leg with its end 13 resting upon the floor, pulling the said seat to the right or forward, viewing Fig. 1, the rocker gradually turning upon the floor until it arriyes in the position Fig. 2. If, owing to the shape of the room or for any other purpose, it is more convenient to operate the article of furniture referred to, I may leave the catches o in engagement with the seat-frame n, and taking hold of the said seat-frame by hand lift it, the rocker-leg having previously been drawn back somewhat, so as to partially separate the auxiliary back from the main back. The dotted lines in Fig. 2 show the seat-frame n in this last position, and, the bed having been formed, the catches 0 may be operated to release the seat, and it may be turned back or down upon the frame Z).

Viewing Fig. 3 it will be noticed that the slats g are shorter than the distance from one to the other side bar of the back, thus leaving a space between the loops of the side bars and the ends of the slats, so that suitable hooks may be secured to the inner sides of the side bars in any well-known manner, which hooks may be engaged by suitable straps connected with the mattress or upholstering which will be laid upon the spring.

To shut up the bed from the position shown in Fig. 2, the operator will press upon,by the foot or otherwise, the corner 13, such pressure being suflicient to break the joint 6 and cause the hinged ends of the main and auxiliary frame to rise in the direction of the arrow 14, Fig. 2, the pressure being continued, the rocker-like leg rolling upon the floor, while the legs a I) travel in the direction of the arrow 15, the parts finally arriving in the position shown in Fig. 1. This curved rocker-like leg is an essential feature of my invention, and its use results in a very great convenience.

Figs. 1 and 2 show a cover t, hinged at If to the rocker shaped foot, which cover when closed keeps the bedding in the hollow foot.

I claim- 1. A sofa bed or lounge containing the following instrumentalities or parts, viz: a frame, as I), provided with legs, a main and auxiliary back-frame hinged with relation to the seat-frame and to each other, a rocker-like leg rigidly attached to the outer end of the auxiliary back at right angles thereto and adapted to slide or roll upon the floor and under the frame I), and side frames h, attached to the main back and abutting upon the frame I) when the bed is closed,the main and auxiliary backs at such time forming the rigid back of the lounge, substantially as described.

2. In a sofa or lounge bed, a seat-frame b, a back composed of a main and auxiliary back-frame hinged to the main frame and to each other, as described, a rocker-like leg rigidly connected to the auxiliary back, depending slat-supporting loops arranged, substantially as described, to pass each other when the main and auxiliary back parts are closed, and limiting-stops 10 upon the under side of the frame 1), against which the inner side of the rocker-like leg abuts, its outer side resting upon the floor, substantially as described.

3. A sofa or lounge bed comprehending a Seat-frame I), provided with legs, a frame, as n, pivotally mounted thereon upon its upper side, side frames h, attached to the main back and adapted to be connected to the sides of the frame a, a main back hinged to the pivot of the frame n, an auxiliary back hinged to the main back, and a leg attached to the outer end thereof, the frame a forminga backsupport when attached to the side frames, the sofa being extended, substantially as described.

4. A sofa-bed or lounge containing the followinginstrumentalities orparts, viz: aframe, as I), provided with legs, a main back hinged to the seat-frame, an auxiliary back hinged to the main back, a rocker-like leg rigidly connected with the auxiliary back and adapted to roll upon the floor, and a stop 10, carried by the frame I) and against which the straight portion 12 of the rocker-like leg abuts when the bed is closed, substantially as described.

5. A sofa-bed or lounge containing the following instrumentalities or parts, viz: a frame, as b, provided with legs, a main back hinged to the seat-frame, an auxiliary back hinged to the main back, a rocker-like leg connected with the auxiliary back and adapted to roll upon the floor. a stop carried by the frame 2), against which the rocker-like leg abuts, a slotted sustaining-leg pivoted to the main back, a brace pivoted to the auxiliary hack adjacent to the main back, and a pin on said brace extended in the slot, permanently connecting said leg and brace, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH RIMMER. Witnesses:

EDW'ARD F. ALLEN, BERNICE J. NoYEs. 

